s​For anyone who is familiar with Windows 10 and uses it consistently for work, school, or pleasure, no doubt has at one point in time, considered buying a Microsoft Surface. Surface's differ from other tablets because they run the Windows operating system and therefore, are often more familiar than Android-based tablets and in some cases perhaps even more compatible with your daily life and routine. For example, if you worked at a large company that regularly requires you to remote into a server then a Windows based device would definitely be preferable.

Microsoft Surface's are also a really good quality machine. They come packed with a lot of power in that tiny frame - in many cases, they might even be better than your computer at home. However, their significant downfall is the price. The entry level Surface, which boasts an Intel Core m3, 4GB RAM, and a 128GB Solid State Hard Drive is $999.00CA - you might be able to get it a little cheaper if you are a student or teacher. A refurbished Surface with the same specs start at $849CA - from Microsoft.

These are great specs, and having used a Surface in the past you can definitely see and feel that the quality is there, both in terms of its physicality and its function - it runs very smoothly and I suspect for everyday, intense use, it is more than sufficient. But the price makes it unattainable for many. At $999.00CA, not including your extra's, it is hard to justify.

There is an alternative out there, however, that is in my opinion, a competing option, if, for nothing else, it's significantly lower price. The CHUWI Hi10 Pro comes with some surprising specs and to my surprise, runs very smoothly. The Hi10 Pro comes with an Intel Cherry Trail Quad Core, 4GB RAM, and a 64GB hard drive and retails between $300-$400CA. Granted there are some differences. For example, the hard drive capacity is significantly less than the Surface. However, it does comes with the ability to expand storage up to 128GB with an extended card. Considering that, and the many cloud storage options out there, I don't find that to be a real big downfall. The surface has a nice kick stand, which the Hi10 Pro does not have, but again, considering the price that really is not a big negative for me.

The Hi10 Pro is also a dual boot tablet, which means you can boot to both Windows 10 and Android, which is a nice feature if you like using both platforms. The down side of course, the 64GB hard drive is shared between both platforms. You can also get a handy keyboard that attaches to the Hi10 Pro similar to the Surface and you can get a compatible Pen for the Hi10 Pro. I am using both the tablet and the detachable keyboard to write this blog as we speak. Not only is the typing comfortable, but I am seamlessly moving between screens and processes without any hiccups or delays. Understanding that I require my machines to perform well, I have to say that I am very pleased with this tablet.

My one and only complaint is the finger prints. They seem to collect on the screen more than my touch screen laptop for example. But since I am using the detachable keyboard most of the time and I have the compatible Pen, the finger prints have really become a non-issue.

For $300-$400CA you can have yourself a high functioning, highly portable machine at a really great price. If you are looking into purchasing a Windows based tablet I highly recommend you consider the CHUWI Hi10 Pro. I have yet to be disappointed and I feel confident that you won't either.